130/485 concurrent filing for spouse, out of normal processing time

[travellers 2]

Hi folks, Looks like we are going through a difficult season. I am a US citizen and I filed 130/385 for my wife in late November 2019. We already got the combo card in March 2020 but the 130 has been pending as "case received" for 10 months now. Last month I called USCIS and was told the normal processing timeline for my case is 7.5 months and so my case was 45 days more than this timeline. The representative opened a case for me to ask for jurisdication within 30 day. Today is the 32nd day since I called last time. I called again and was advised to talk to tier 2. This makes me super worried as I heard that tier 2 means a trouble in your case that tier 1 cannot resolve. I see here some people's 130 got denied and this makes me even worried. Can you guys share your opinions/ experiences what will happen? will my 130 be dined? thanks 

[AstoriaAOS 33]

My understanding is that the I-130 is typically approved after the interview for the I-485 for concurrent filers. So it sounds like you should go by the I-485 processing times for your field office. (Which field office are you?)

 

Also, I’m not sure what the Tier 1 officers meant, nor would I take them too seriously. Tier 2 officers will know a lot more, and being directed to a Tier 2 officer isn’t a bad thing. Based on that alone I would not be worried that the application will be denied.

[payxibka 10,045]

1 hour ago, travellers said:

Hi folks, Looks like we are going through a difficult season. I am a US citizen and I filed 130/385 for my wife in late November 2019. We already got the combo card in March 2020 but the 130 has been pending as "case received" for 10 months now. Last month I called USCIS and was told the normal processing timeline for my case is 7.5 months and so my case was 45 days more than this timeline. The representative opened a case for me to ask for jurisdication within 30 day. Today is the 32nd day since I called last time. I called again and was advised to talk to tier 2. This makes me super worried as I heard that tier 2 means a trouble in your case that tier 1 cannot resolve. I see here some people's 130 got denied and this makes me even worried. Can you guys share your opinions/ experiences what will happen? will my 130 be dined? thanks 

most likely delay is covid related versus and flaw in your filing 

[travellers 2]

On 9/28/2020 at 1:04 PM, payxibka said:

most likely delay is covid related versus and flaw in your filing 

thank you all. I am worried if something is going on. I know some friends filed in last year and had already got notified for interview. is it because I live in NJ?

[Sierra Echo 11]

3 hours ago, travellers said:

thank you all. I am worried if something is going on. I know some friends filed in last year and had already got notified for interview. is it because I live in NJ?

I-485 interview schedule depends on field offices.
Not sure where your field office is and how slow FO in NJ is, however on VisaJourney I-485 timelines, someone from NJ (PD May 2019) had interview in August 2020 at Newark NJ FO.
Enter your field office and compare your timelines
https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/aoslist.php?vtype=&op8=Newark+NJ&interview=&xfr=&op1=d&op2=&op3=&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C9%2C10%2C11&cfl=0

 

And you can check USCIS processing time for I-485 in accordance with FO. 
For instance, as of today, out of normal processing time for I-485 at Newark FO is : February 15, 2018

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

My experience is that concurrent filings take longer overall.   Your I-130 will be looked at "quickly" to determine that complete and if so than an AP/EAD/Combo is issued.  The green card won't be issued until the interview and I-130 are completed.  I don't think it is very clear if the I-130 has to be approved prior to the interview.  I've seen cases now both ways.  Your field office plays part of the green card issuance.   Having a tier 2 rep involved is usually a good thing.  They get things done.

[travellers 2]

On 10/8/2020 at 5:12 PM, Sierra Echo said:

I-485 interview schedule depends on field offices.
Not sure where your field office is and how slow FO in NJ is, however on VisaJourney I-485 timelines, someone from NJ (PD May 2019) had interview in August 2020 at Newark NJ FO.
Enter your field office and compare your timelines
https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/aoslist.php?vtype=&op8=Newark+NJ&interview=&xfr=&op1=d&op2=&op3=&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C9%2C10%2C11&cfl=0

 

And you can check USCIS processing time for I-485 in accordance with FO. 
For instance, as of today, out of normal processing time for I-485 at Newark FO is : February 15, 2018

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Thanks for the reply. I see someone in this forum got their 130/485 approved in 3 months. Newark Nj FO is really slow according to their posted timeline. IS it normal that it takes so long for marriages based green card?

 

 

[travellers 2]

On 10/8/2020 at 6:37 PM, Paul & Mary said:

My experience is that concurrent filings take longer overall.   Your I-130 will be looked at "quickly" to determine that complete and if so than an AP/EAD/Combo is issued.  The green card won't be issued until the interview and I-130 are completed.  I don't think it is very clear if the I-130 has to be approved prior to the interview.  I've seen cases now both ways.  Your field office plays part of the green card issuance.   Having a tier 2 rep involved is usually a good thing.  They get things done.

Thanks pal. Someone just posted their experiences in this forum recently and their case got approved in 3 months. I have waited for almost a year and still no update. This delay and the covid-19 has delayed lots of things including our wedding ceremony. 15 days ago I was told that tier-2 rep involved but when I called today they told me that they could not do anything except making me waiting for longer. so sad

[Chancy 6,241]

5 hours ago, travellers said:

Thanks for the reply. I see someone in this forum got their 130/485 approved in 3 months. Newark Nj FO is really slow according to their posted timeline. IS it normal that it takes so long for marriages based green card?

 

AOS processing time varies by field office.  Even before COVID, it was not unusual for some field offices to take 2+ years to process AOS cases.

 

[Sierra Echo 11]

7 hours ago, travellers said:

Thanks for the reply. I see someone in this forum got their 130/485 approved in 3 months. Newark Nj FO is really slow according to their posted timeline. IS it normal that it takes so long for marriages based green card?

 

 

Yeah I feel your pain. 
Let's think positive. Newark FO may not be fast, however it is not a worst case, if compared to slower FO

 

Let me tell you about Seattle FO for instance. There still are marriage based AOS filers who are waiting for the GC interview 2 years already.
There could be more FO whose processing time is as slow as Seattle.

[travellers 2]

On 10/14/2020 at 5:15 PM, Sierra Echo said:

Yeah I feel your pain. 
Let's think positive. Newark FO may not be fast, however it is not a worst case, if compared to slower FO

 

Let me tell you about Seattle FO for instance. There still are marriage based AOS filers who are waiting for the GC interview 2 years already.
There could be more FO whose processing time is as slow as Seattle.

Thank you fellows.

Do you guys think it would be helpful to ask for a senator's help?